The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-13
Pauperism.

fChristian Forid.
Pauperism.
This is q condition of slavish and
absolute dependence upon others, and
is the result of different conditions OF
life, such as pernicious habits, extrav-
spance in expenditure, lack of ambi-
ton which makes the individual salts
fed If he has enough to eat to-day,
though he may have no idea where a
meal is to come from tomorrow, want
of forecast, laziness, mental deficien-
cy, personal affliction, &c. Depend
ent persons not paupers, are such as
young children or helpless females OF
q family, who have natural claim for
support, and are otherwise unable to
provide for themselves.
A condition of pauperism, Is one OF
real degradation. 1t lowers manhood
and womanhood and makes those
mean and despicable, who otherwise
would be independent and noble. In
most cases, pauperism is the fault OF
the party himself, or comes through
fancied inability to support himself,
when by proper exertion and care he
could be Independent.
Public pa,tDers These persons usu-
ally occupy the poor-houses of the
couiitry, or seek precarious living by
street begging, and are usually, as low
in morals as they are dependent 1or
support, though there are noble excep-
tions of the former, If not the latter.
It argues a bad condition of morals, as
well as a low type Of civilization,
where vagrancy stalks abroad un-
blushingly, and penury seeks to make
public spectacle of itself to secure
pity and relief. The helpless poor
should be housed and cared for at the
expense of the public treasury, with
out the question, "How came they in
this condition" ?"
Church 9oattpers: These are comprls-
ed in two classes. The first, are the
dependent poor members of the
church. who are supported by the
church, and often comprise true and
noble Christians. The second is q
class of persons, voluntarily depend
ent upon the church Of which they
are members. for the gospel, together
with all the privileges of the church,
and who feel themselves so poor, that
they cannot contribute, but are entire
ly dependent upon the charities of the
church for all which they receive.
These are sometimes well-to-do per-
sons. too mean and stingy to do their
duty and who prefer to endure q deg
radiation that is humiliating in the ex-
treme rather than perform their duty.
All churches are more or less afflicted
with this class of paupers, and it is
sometimes the case that q majority of
the members are composed of this class
of church paupers. The widow of Sa-
repta was poor, but she was not pau
per. There was noble independence
which elevated her high above this de-
graded class, and gave her an mex
haustable source whence to draw her
treasures in the midst of general want.
Neither was the poor widow noticed
by Christ In the temple, of this class.
She was indeed very poor, but large in
the charity she bestowed, casting into
the treasury more even than did the
rich who gave of their abundance.
There was in her true womahhood,
which in the midst of her penury,
lifted her far above vagrancy, and gave
her the command Of hidden wealth
not to be counted by dollars and cents.
Rich puupers: This is class Of per-
sons who have never earned q dollar
in their lives, but who live upon the
wealth acquired by parents or other
relatives. These persons are as despi-
cable as they are mean. Feeling
themselves above labor, they look up
on it as degradation and really pos
sess ability only in one direction, and
that is to spend what others by indus
try and economy have acquired, and
which they inherit. The families of
most men who have made money are
apt to fray out into these pauper
spendthrifts, who are valuable to soci-
ETY. only as their money is expended,
and who have friends while it lasts.
HENRY NJ. MOOD.
Manning, 8. G.
Home Is the place where we may
talk Of what we have done without
being charged with self-adulation.
There Is the place where we may ex-
press qualification without being
where We lounge without being
LuOuSut uuSTdCclul. 1ueEc ID luc
place where we may forget all our an
noyances and troubles. Home is a
blessed harbor for storm-tossed mari
ners.
"God, aoho is rich in maercy." Mer-
cy is Gods wealth. Some men are
rich in gold, others are rich in knowl-
edge, and others are rich in power.
But God is rich in mercy. His mercy
is without limit-a shoreless, fathom-
less ocean. But for this our race
would be doomed to everlasting night
While thy judgments, o God, "are a
great Deep" "thy mercy is great above
the heavens"
On the day Of his coronation, George
the Third composed a prayer which
for brevity and good sense has rarely
been equaled. It was afterward found
In his desk. 1t reads thus: "Keep
me, o Lord, from silly and unguarded
friends, and from secret and designing
enemies, and give me those things
that are best for me, through Jesus
Christ our Lord"
Negligence is one Of the worst forms
Of ChriStiaA delinuuency. Many ner-